Cyclones travel to Iowa City for rematch with Hawkeyes

Dylan Montz

The stakes are high in the No. 15 Iowa and No. 22 Iowa State gymnastics meet Friday as the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk series has the Hawkeyes ahead 11-10.

The Cyclones (7-3-1, 1-2 Big 12) defeated the Hawkeyes (5-5, 2-3 Big Ten) Feb. 18 in Hilton Coliseum by a score of 196.350 to 195.850. Iowa State earned an all-time high in bars that night, defeating the Hawkeyes, but earned a lower score on the road two days later that the team feels was uncharacteristic.

“We are going back to the basics,” said ISU coach Jay Ronayne. “We need to stick our landings and that is what was missing.”

Freshman Michelle Shealy, who has moved up to No. 15 in the country in the all-around, echoed Ronayne’s comments.

“We just had some little mistakes here and there, it wasn’t dramatic but we did have a fall that usually doesn’t happen but it is just little things we don’t usually do,” Shealy said.

Junior Michelle Browning claimed a share of the floor title Sunday with a score of 9.875, tying her season high in that event. Browning credits that to her focus on staying consistent and nailing all of her skills. She also said that she realizes the importance of the Cy-Hawk meet and said she feels the team is prepared to get a win.

“We know that we are in that important position where we could get Iowa State ahead in the Cy-Hawk series,” Browning said. “Especially knowing how important it is to our fans. Our fans are a huge part of why we are successful.”

Ronayne expects Cyclone fans to make the trip to the Iowa Field House to support the Cyclones. The dual meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday in Iowa City.